Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about orthodontics. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.

Click on a question below to see the answer.

Q:
What is an Orthodontist?

A:
An Orthodontist is a dental specialist, trained to diagnose and treat a poor bite and improperly positioned teeth, with the goal of improving the function of teeth and their overall cosmetic appearance.

In addition to achieving the same degree as a general dentist, an additional three years of University training are required to earn the specialty designation of “Orthodontist”. Although general dentists can take continuing education courses to do some basic orthodontic procedures, more complex treatment needs require the advice of an orthodontist.

While we often think of only young people receiving orthodontic treatment due to the importance of early intervention, many adults also seek orthodontic care. An orthodontist can advise you of concerns such as crooked teeth, a poor bite, or jaw problems, and can also help identify the underlying causes of such problems.

Your family dentist will often diagnose an orthodontic problem and then refer you to an orthodontist; however, a referral is not necessary for an orthodontic consultation.

Q:
Why should you choose an orthodontist for your care?

A:
Just as there are specialists in medicine, there are specialists in dentistry. You wouldn’t have your family doctor perform delicate surgery. It only makes sense to trust an orthodontist, a dental specialist, to correct your misaligned teeth and jaws. Teeth and sometimes faces are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment, so it is very important that the treatment be done properly. A licensed orthodontic specialist is an expert at moving teeth, helping jaws develop properly and working with you to help make sure your teeth stay in their new positions. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified to correct “bad bites.”

Q:
Who can refer you to an orthodontist?

A:
No referral is necessary. However, your family dentist can often help you with a recommendation and with more information on orthodontic care. As you consider your options, keep in mind that orthodontists are dental specialists who have met the exacting standards of education and experience.

Q:
At what age should people seek orthodontic treatment?

A:
People can benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age; however, there are many advantages to seeking early diagnosis, as treatment options can become more limited once all the permanent teeth have come in and one’s facial growth has slowed.

It is recommended that children have an orthodontic check-up by the age of 6. This way, problems with the growth of the jaw or crowding of teeth can be addressed, often eliminating the need for complicated treatment such as adult tooth removal or surgery after the adolescent growth spurt. As well, some of the underlying causes of orthodontic problems, such as a dependency to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose, thumb-sucking, and dental decay, can be recognized early to prevent problems from progressing.

Q:
Why straighten teeth?

A:

Straighter teeth perform chewing, biting, and speaking functions more effectively than crooked teeth. In addition, a straight smile boosts confidence, is aesthetically pleasing to look at, and can help stave off a wide variety of dental ailments.

There are several types of malocclusion including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding. Each of these alignment problems negatively impacts the functionality and cosmetic appearance of the teeth.

Here is a brief overview of some of the main disorders associated with crooked teeth:

Periodontitis – Periodontitis or gum disease begins with a bacterial infection. The bacterial infection is caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Crooked teeth are hard to effectively clean, which means that debris, plaque, and bacteria can build up in hard-to-reach areas. Straight teeth are much easier to clean and are at less risk of contracting gum disease.

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ) - Crooked teeth can lead to improper jaw alignment, which in turn causes a painful condition known as TMJ. Severe headaches, jaw pain, lockjaw, and grinding of teeth characterize this debilitating disorder.

Tooth injury – Straight teeth create a strong wall, which means injuries are less likely to occur. Crooked teeth are weaker and often protrude, making them far more vulnerable to external injury.

Uneven wear – Crooked teeth cause some of the teeth to work harder than others when biting and chewing. Straight teeth share the workload evenly, meaning less risk of injury and better aesthetics.

Teeth can be straightened using either orthodontic braces or customized aligning trays. Orthodontic braces are usually affixed to the teeth for a set duration. The brackets and archwires are tightened regularly by the orthodontist and removed when treatment is complete. Fixed braces can be placed on the front side or back side of the teeth and are effective for most types of malocclusion.

Aligning trays are fully removable and are used where the malocclusion is less severe, and the teeth need to move a shorter distance. These trays are replaced every few weeks for the duration of the treatment, and have proven to be equally effective for straightening teeth.

If you have questions about orthodontics and straightening teeth, please contact our office.

Q:
What are some of the benefits to early treatment?

A:
Early treatment provides the opportunity to:

1) Guide the growth of young jaw bones to create a better environment for the arrival of permanent teeth2) Guide incoming teeth into optimal positions3) Regulation of jaw width4) Correction of harmful sucking habits5) Reduce the likelihood of teeth becoming impacted under the gums6) Preserve or gain space for arriving permanent teeth

Q:
Can adults benefit from orthodontics?

A:
Because the basic process involved in moving teeth is the same in adults as in children, orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. The health of teeth, gums, and the supporting bones will also determine the prospects for improvement. There are many options available for adult treatment and we would be happy to discuss them with you and provide you with our recommendations for treatment.

Invisalign, a clear plastic orthodontic appliance, may be an alternative for adults who feel self-conscious about their treatment and do not want to draw undue attention to their mouth. While these transparent aligners are removable and less noticeable, they cannot be used to treat all types of orthodontic cases. A full orthodontic examination would be required to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for Invisalign.

Healthy teeth can be moved at any age and an orthodontist can improve the smile of practically anyone. In fact, we regularly treat patients in their fifties, sixties and above! The health of your gums and supporting bones will also determine the prospects for improvement through orthodontic treatment.

Q:
What health benefits can a patient expect from orthodontic treatment?

A:
A number of health benefits stem from orthodontic treatment. By aligning crooked or crowded teeth, orthodontic treatment makes one’s teeth easier to clean and maintain. When food gets trapped between the teeth, it harbours bacteria that generates bad breath in addition to tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. The correction of a “bad bite,” or malocclusion, can also reduce speech impairment and the risk of dental injuries, such as chipped teeth.

Orthodontic treatment can also alleviate problems arising from the misalignment of the jaws – a complication that can cause jaw pain and chronic headaches. By fixing a patient’s bite, the chewing function of one’s teeth is enhanced, leading to improvement in one’s digestive processes.

Orthodontists can also address uneven wear on the teeth, which may apply excessive pressure on the bones and gum tissue supporting the teeth, potentially causing pain in the face or neck.

Orthodontists can use three-dimensional imaging to identify potential underlying causes for the misalignment of the teeth, contributing to more effective treatment planning for every patient.

Orthodontic treatment also offers the design, application, and control of corrective appliances to bring the teeth, lips, and jaw into proper alignment and proportion, thereby achieving optimal facial balance. This specialized approach accomplishes the goal of straightening teeth and producing a good bite, while also promoting the patient’s overall facial aesthetics and self-esteem.

A:
“Mouth breathing” is a problem exhibited by a number of patients seeking orthodontic treatment. This behaviour is characterized in two major ways: True mouth breathing and pseudo mouth breathing.

True mouth breathing occurs when the facial muscles are at rest and the primary means of inhaling and exhaling is through the mouth. Pseudo mouth breathing differs in that it occurs when the lips are in an open posture, but the nose is used as the primary breathing mode. Both true and pseudo mouth breathing negatively impact the teeth and jaws.

Mouth breathing constantly dries the tissues in the mouth, contributing to an environment in which plaque becomes very sticky and bacteria highly abundant. Mouth breathing also causes the tongue to be positioned low and forward in the mouth, as opposed to resting in the palate. During a child’s growing years, this can cause narrowing of the palate, flaring of teeth, and an imbalance between the forward growth of the upper and lower jaw.

With the use of 3-D imaging, it is sometimes possible to identify the underlying causes for mouth breathing, such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids. This leads to better orthodontic treatment planning and possible solutions for the problem.

Q:
If my child has early treatment, often called Phase One, will additional treatment be necessary?

A:
In most cases, yes. After the permanent teeth have grown in, treatment is usually necessary to complete the work that was started in the earlier phase. The completion of the early phase using full braces is often called Phase Two.

Q:
What will happen in the time between Phase One and Phase Two?

A:
This is a period of growth and observation which will involve a combination of retaining the correction that has been made in Phase One and guiding the growth of the permanent teeth into more favorable positions. Because treatment timing is critical, a child’s growth and development is monitored very carefully during this period.

Q:
Can I have my teeth aligned without having metal braces?

A:
Yes, if you are an adult or a mature teen meeting certain conditions. A series of 3-D computer-generated invisible aligners made by Invisalign may allow the creation of a beautiful smile for you without metal braces. However, this technology does not correct bites that are due to jaw bone malpositioning and not everyone will be suitable candidates. Only a full orthodontic examination can determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for Invisalign. Many patients will receive a superior result with a combination of a short period of metal braces to correct problems that are difficult for clear aligners to correct followed by Invisalign aligners to complete tooth alignment.

Q:
Is orthodontic care expensive?

A:
The fee for an individual’s orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including how severe the problem is, how complex the treatment is, and how long the treatment lasts. Many insurance plans now assist in paying for orthodontics, but seldom pay the entire fee.

Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often far less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. Many of our clients discover that the costs are considerably lower than they had ever expected. Financing is also available to help meet your individual financial needs.

While it’s important to keep in mind the lifetime value that orthodontics offers, we know you have specific cost questions and at the office of Gary T. Puccio D.D.S., we will be happy to discuss them during your initial consultation.

Q:
What is Invisalign?

A:
Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out approximately every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. Your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist. That’s your guarantee that you’ll end up with a smile that truly fits. If you’re ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other works as effortlessly as the Invisalign system.

Q:
Will Invisalign work for me?

A:
Invisalign is versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues including over-crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crossbite, overbite and underbite. An Invisalign Orthodontist will work with you to create a custom-designed program that will treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners (made for you) and only you.

Q:
Will Invisalign fit my life?

A:
With Invisalign, all you’ll need to adjust to is your new smile! If it weren’t for the remarkable way it transforms your smile, you’d hardly even notice it because Invisalign lets you live your life. In fact, it does an excellent job of giving you the flexibility you need, since it’s clear and removable.

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